Our Environment: CBSE Class 10

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the crucial role of decomposers within an ecosystem?

Consuming primary producers to regulate their population size.
Breaking down dead organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the environment. (correct)
Providing shelter and protection for smaller organisms from predators.
Converting solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

How does the flow of energy through an ecosystem differ from the flow of nutrients?

Both energy and nutrients flow cyclically within the ecosystem.
Energy flows linearly, while nutrients flow cyclically. (correct)
Energy flows cyclically, while nutrients flow linearly.
Both energy and nutrients flow linearly from producers to consumers.

How would converting a natural forest into agricultural land most likely affect the local ecosystem's biodiversity and stability?

Maintain biodiversity and ecosystem stability as long as fertilizers and pesticides are used responsibly.
Increase biodiversity and enhance ecosystem stability due to the introduction of new species.
Have no significant impact on biodiversity or ecosystem stability because crops can replace native plant species.
Decrease biodiversity and reduce ecosystem stability due to habitat loss and simplified food webs. (correct)

What is the primary distinction between an ecosystem and an environment, as defined in the provided material?

An environment refers to the surroundings where an organism lives, while an ecosystem is an interactive community of biotic and abiotic components. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In an ecosystem, nutrients cycle from abiotic to biotic components and back to abiotic components. What is the critical role of biotic components in making this cycle sustainable?

Biotic components facilitate the cycling of nutrients via consumption, decomposition and the return of nutrients to the soil. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which human activity would most directly interfere with the natural cycling of an ecosystem, potentially leading to long-term environmental damage?

Introducing a non-native species to control a pest population without fully understanding its ecological impact. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How would you categorize a crop field maintained by humans with the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and why?

Artificial ecosystem, due to human involvement through the use of fertilizers and pesticides. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Consider a scenario where a new highway is constructed through a forest, fragmenting the habitat. Which of the following is the most likely long-term consequence for the local ecosystem?

Reduced population sizes of species requiring large territories and disrupted migration patterns. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In a food web, what is the most likely consequence of the disappearance of a primary consumer species?

Secondary consumers that rely on it will decline, potentially affecting higher trophic levels. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the 10% law of energy transfer in food chains, if producers have 10,000 kcal of energy, approximately how much energy will be available to tertiary consumers?

100 kcal (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does a food web differ from a food chain in representing ecological relationships?

A food web represents multiple interconnected feeding relationships, while a food chain represents a single, linear path of energy transfer. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason lakes do not require regular cleaning like aquariums?

Lakes are natural ecosystems with decomposition processes, while aquariums are artificial and lack these processes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the process of bio-magnification?

The accumulation of pollutants in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a direct consequence of releasing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) into the atmosphere?

Depletion of the ozone layer (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does UV radiation play in the formation of ozone ($O_3$)?

UV radiation breaks down oxygen molecules ($O_2$) into individual oxygen atoms, which then combine to form ozone. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following human activities primarily helps in reducing non-biodegradable waste accumulation?

Recycling (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does composting contribute to environmental sustainability?

It enhances soil quality by adding nutrients from decomposed organic matter. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A farmer applies a chemical pesticide to a wheat crop. Following bio-magnification, which organism would likely have the highest concentration of the pesticide?

The secondary consumers eating the primary consumers (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Environment

The surroundings where organisms live, differing by location.

Ecosystem

An interactive community of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.